Palliative and end of life care

Palliative and End of Life Care – Supporting GPs to Deliver Compassionate Care

This resource hub provides GPs and primary care teams in north west London with guidance, tools, and local information to support high-quality palliative and end of life care. It is designed to help you meet the needs of patients and families with confidence and compassion.

Why it matters for GPs:

• Access to best practice guidance – Stay up to date with local policies, clinical pathways, and referral processes.
• Improves care coordination – Connects you with specialist teams and community services across North West London.
• Supports sensitive conversations – Offers resources for discussing care preferences and planning ahead with patients and families.
• Enhances patient experience – Helps ensure care is person-centred, timely, and aligned with patient wishes.

Use this hub to find the latest information and support for delivering outstanding palliative and end of life care in your practice.

North West London Health Professional Advice Line (HPAL)

The HPAL provides quick, reliable clinical advice on palliative and end-of-life care for GPs and primary care teams in North West London. It is designed to support safe, evidence-based decision-making when caring for patients with complex needs.

Why it matters for GPs

• Offers expert support – Immediate access to specialist advice for complex clinical queries.
• Improves prescribing confidence – Guidance on medicines management and local policies.
• Enhances patient care – Helps ensure treatment aligns with best practice and patient needs.
• Reduces uncertainty – Provides clarity in challenging situations, especially at end of life.

HPAL helps GPs deliver compassionate, high-quality care for patients approaching the end of life across North West London.

Please also direct your patients to the public webpages.

Universal Care Plan – Helping GPs Coordinate Patient Care

The Universal Care Plan provides a single, secure digital record of patients’ urgent care preferences and clinical information. For GPs, it is an essential tool for ensuring joined-up, person-centred care across all settings.

Why it matters for GPs

• Improves care coordination – Ensures all professionals have access to the same up-to-date plan.
• Supports urgent and end-of-life care – Makes patient wishes clear in emergencies and during palliative care.
• Reduces duplication and delays – Streamlines communication between primary, community, and hospital teams.
• Enhances patient trust – Demonstrates commitment to respecting preferences and delivering consistent care.

The Universal Care Plan helps GPs provide safe, timely, and integrated care for patients across north west London.

Future Care Planning – Supporting GPs in Patient-Centered Care

Future care planning helps GPs ensure that patients’ wishes and preferences are clearly documented and respected, especially when they may lose the ability to make decisions themselves.

Why it matters for GPs

• Improves continuity of care – Shared plans reduce uncertainty and ensure all clinicians follow the same approach.
• Supports informed decision-making – Helps you guide patients and families through sensitive conversations about treatment options.
• Reduces crisis interventions – Clear plans prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and enable timely, appropriate care.
• Enhances patient trust – Demonstrates a proactive, compassionate approach to end-of-life and long-term care.

Future care planning is a practical tool for delivering safe, coordinated, and person-centered care across north west London.

Advance Care Planning – Helping GPs Support Patient Choices

Advance care planning ensures that patients’ wishes for future treatment and care are clearly documented and respected. For GPs, this is a vital tool for delivering compassionate, person-centered care.

Why it matters for GPs:

• Facilitates sensitive conversations – Provides structure and resources for discussing future care with patients and families.
• Improves care coordination – Ensures all professionals involved have access to the same agreed plan.
• Reduces emergency decision-making – Helps avoid unnecessary hospital admissions and interventions during crises.
• Strengthens patient trust – Demonstrates commitment to respecting patient preferences and dignity.

Advance care planning supports GPs in making informed, timely decisions and delivering high-quality care for patients approaching the end of life.

Palliative Care Directory of Services – Helping GPs Access Specialist Support

The North West London Palliative Care Directory of Services provides GPs and primary care teams in north west London with up-to-date information on local specialist palliative care services. With borough specific information, it is an essential tool for ensuring patients and families receive the right support at the right time.

For all referrals use the All Age Pan-London Specialist Palliative Care Referral Form available here

Why it matters for GPs:

• Streamlines referrals – Includes the All Age Pan-London Specialist Palliative Care Referral Form for efficient access to services.
• Improves care coordination – Connects you with local specialist teams for advice and support.
• Supports best practice – Ensures patients receive timely, appropriate palliative and end-of-life care.
• Enhances patient and family experience – Helps provide compassionate, joined-up care across North West London.

The directory supports GPs in delivering high-quality, person-centred palliative care for patients with complex needs.